Toy Poodles Join Japanese Police Force

December 5, 2011

By OLIVIA KATRANDJIAN

Police in Japan's Tottori prefecture have enlisted two toy poodles to become their latest partners in crime.

Asahi Shimbun

The dogs, one-year-old Karine and two-year-old Fuga, passed their canine training tests last month, and made their police debut over the weekend. They will be used in the same roles as other K-9 dogs, and their trainer insists the poodles won't be at a disadvantage because of their size.

"Their trainers thought the dogs had keen senses and responded exceptionally well to commands," said a spokesman, according to Agence France-Presse.

Japanese usually use larger dogs, such as German shepards, for their canine force. But the earthquake and tsunami in March proved that smaller dogs can also be useful for search and rescue operations.

In July, a Shiba Inu joined the police force Japan's Okayama prefecture. The dog was the first of her breed ever to work for a police department in Japan.

Asahi Shimbun

Last year, a long-haired Chihuahua named Momo, which means "Peach," became Japan's first Chibuahua police dog. Momo weighs less than 7 pounds.